NIGHT is the unshielded native and governance token of Midnight. It gives users and developers access to the network resource model that powers transactions on Midnight. This tutorial explains where you can acquire NIGHT, how to withdraw it safely, how to prepare a Midnight-compatible wallet, and what the Cardano-to-Midnight bridge supports today.
Use this guide if you want to buy NIGHT, move it into self-custody, generate DUST, or prepare for Midnight Mainnet activity.It is best suited for:
- Users who want to buy and hold NIGHT.
- Developers who need NIGHT and DUST for testing or Mainnet usage.
- Builders who need to explain the current NIGHT wallet and bridge flow to their users.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- An account on an exchange that lists NIGHT, or access to a Cardano DEX.
- A Cardano wallet that supports Cardano Native Assets.
- A Midnight-compatible wallet, such as Lace, if you want to use Midnight Mainnet.
- A small amount of ADA in your Cardano wallet for Cardano transaction fees.
- The official NIGHT policy ID on Cardano:
0691b2fecca1ac4f53cb6dfb00b7013e561d1f34403b957cbb5af1fa4e49474854
This tutorial contains no Compact code. It only covers token acquisition, wallet preparation, withdrawal checks, and bridge status.
Understand NIGHT and DUST
Midnight uses a dual-component token model.
NIGHT is the public token. It is unshielded, visible on-chain, and used for governance, network security, and DUST generation. DUST is the shielded network resource that pays for transaction capacity on Midnight. You spend DUST to use Midnight, but you do not buy it as a normal transferable token.
The difference matters when you use an exchange. Exchanges list NIGHT. They do not list DUST as a token you can buy, withdraw, or transfer. DUST is generated from NIGHT balances and is used as a consumable resource for transactions and smart contract execution.
Midnight documentation describes NIGHT as a token that exists across Cardano and Midnight. On Cardano, NIGHT is a Cardano Native Asset. On Midnight, NIGHT is a native token on Midnight. The protocol keeps supply consistent by locking NIGHT on one chain when it is unlocked on the other.
Where to get NIGHT
You can acquire NIGHT through three main paths.
Option 1: Buy NIGHT on a centralized exchange
A centralized exchange is the simplest path for most users. You create an account, complete any required identity checks, deposit funds, buy NIGHT, and withdraw to self-custody when withdrawals are available.
The official Midnight NIGHT page lists exchange partners that include:
| Exchange | Typical market to check |
|---|---|
| Binance |
NIGHT/USDT or supported local pairs |
| Bitpanda | App-based NIGHT markets where available |
| Bitrue | NIGHT/USDT |
| Bybit | NIGHT/USDT |
| Gate | NIGHT/USDT |
| HTX | NIGHT/USDT |
| Kraken |
NIGHT/USD or other supported fiat pairs |
| KuCoin | NIGHT/USDT |
| LBank | NIGHT/USDT |
| MEXC |
NIGHT/USDT or NIGHT/USDC
|
| OKX | NIGHT/USDT |
| eToro | App-based NIGHT markets where available |
Market availability changes by region, account type, and exchange policy. Before you buy, open the exchange's deposit and withdrawal page for NIGHT. Confirm that the exchange supports withdrawals, not just trading. Some venues list a token before withdrawals are available, and some pause withdrawals during maintenance.
A good exchange choice is not only the exchange with the lowest trading fee. It is the venue that supports your region, has enough liquidity, allows withdrawals, and clearly shows the withdrawal network.
Option 2: Swap for NIGHT on Cardano
You can also acquire NIGHT through Cardano DEX liquidity when routes are available. This path keeps you in self-custody from the start, but it requires careful asset verification.
Before you swap:
- Open the DEX or aggregator you plan to use.
- Search for NIGHT by policy ID, not only by token name.
- Confirm the policy ID is:
0691b2fecca1ac4f53cb6dfb00b7013e561d1f34403b957cbb5af1fa4e49474854
- Check the route, price impact, and slippage.
- Confirm the transaction in your Cardano wallet.
Do not rely on the ticker alone. Cardano allows different assets to use similar names. The policy ID is the reliable identifier.
Option 3: Redeem previously claimed NIGHT
Some users received NIGHT through distribution programs such as Glacier Drop, Scavenger Mine, or later redemption phases. If you participated in one of these programs, use the official redemption flow and follow the instructions for your claim type.
The official NIGHT page states that the total supply is 24,000,000,000 NIGHT and that the distribution includes a thawing period. If you redeem distribution tokens, check whether your balance is available immediately or subject to the thawing schedule.
Choose the right wallet
You need to separate two wallet tasks.
The first task is receiving NIGHT from an exchange or DEX. For that, use a Cardano wallet that supports Cardano Native Assets if the withdrawal network is Cardano. The address must be a Cardano wallet address.
The second task is using Midnight Mainnet. For that, use a Midnight-compatible wallet. Lace supports Midnight Mainnet inside the Lace extension and lets you manage public and shielded Midnight assets, generate DUST, and connect to Midnight DApps.
Do not paste a Midnight wallet address into a Cardano withdrawal form. Do not paste a Cardano wallet address into a Midnight-only transfer form. The address must match the network used by the sender.
Set up a Midnight wallet in Lace
Use this flow if you want to prepare a Midnight wallet in Lace.
- Install or update the Lace browser extension.
- Open Lace.
- Select Create new wallet.
- Select Midnight.
- Choose whether to reuse an existing recovery phrase or create a new one.
- Store the recovery phrase offline.
- Re-enter the recovery phrase if Lace asks you to confirm it.
- Name the wallet and set a password.
- Select Mainnet.
- Choose the proof server option you want to use.
- Select Enter wallet.
A proof server generates ZK proofs for Midnight transactions. Lace support explains that you can run a local proof server or connect to a remote service. Use the option that matches your security needs and technical comfort level.
Withdraw NIGHT from an exchange
Follow these steps when your exchange supports NIGHT withdrawals on Cardano.
Step 1: Confirm the withdrawal network
Open the NIGHT withdrawal page on the exchange and check the network field. If the exchange offers Cardano as the withdrawal network, prepare a Cardano receiving address.
If the exchange offers Midnight Mainnet as a withdrawal network, confirm that your receiving wallet supports Midnight Mainnet and that the address format matches the exchange instructions. Do not assume Midnight withdrawals exist unless the exchange shows the network explicitly.
Step 2: Copy a Cardano receiving address
Open your Cardano wallet and copy a fresh receiving address. Make sure the wallet can display Cardano Native Assets.
Keep some ADA in the wallet. Cardano transactions require ADA for fees and may require minimum ADA values for token UTXOs.
Step 3: Send a small test withdrawal
Start with a small amount of NIGHT. This costs an extra withdrawal fee, but it protects you from sending the full balance to the wrong network or an unsupported wallet.
After the exchange processes the withdrawal, check your wallet. Confirm that the received asset uses the official NIGHT policy ID.
Step 4: Withdraw the remaining balance
After the test withdrawal arrives, send the remaining amount. Save the transaction hash and exchange withdrawal record.
If your wallet does not update right away, use the transaction hash in a Cardano explorer and confirm the asset, destination address, and amount.
Step 5: Prepare for Midnight usage
After NIGHT reaches your Cardano wallet, set up or open your Midnight wallet. To use Midnight transactions, you need DUST capacity. You can generate DUST by designating NIGHT to a Midnight address, or you can use a DApp that sponsors your transactions.
Understand designation
Designation associates NIGHT with a Midnight address so it can generate DUST for that address. Without designation, your NIGHT does not generate DUST for that Midnight wallet.
Lace support describes two related actions:
- Designating: You use your NIGHT to generate DUST for a chosen Midnight wallet.
- Receiving a designation: Another party designates NIGHT so DUST is generated for your address. A DApp can use this pattern to sponsor user transactions.
Designation helps separate ownership from usage. For example, a developer can hold NIGHT and designate DUST capacity to users so the DApp feels free at the point of interaction.
Understand the Cardano-to-Midnight bridge
Midnight maintains interoperability with Cardano through a native bridge model. For NIGHT, the core rule is supply consistency. NIGHT cannot be freely duplicated across both chains. When NIGHT is active on one chain, it is locked on the other.
For users, the current experience has an important limitation. Lace support states that, for the moment, you cannot send NIGHT from a Cardano wallet or centralized exchange account directly to a Midnight wallet because Cardano and Midnight are different blockchains. Work is in progress to enable this feature.
This means you should treat three actions as separate:
- Holding NIGHT on Cardano.
- Designating NIGHT so it generates DUST for a Midnight address.
- Moving NIGHT itself onto Midnight when supported by your wallet, exchange, or bridge interface.
Do not combine these actions in your head. A Cardano withdrawal is not the same as a Midnight transfer, and DUST generation is not the same as moving NIGHT.
What does not exist yet
Some user flows are still maturing.
Direct Cardano or exchange transfers to a Midnight wallet are not the default
The safest assumption is that exchange withdrawals use Cardano unless the exchange clearly shows Midnight Mainnet as a supported withdrawal network. Lace support still warns that direct transfers from a Cardano wallet or CEX account to a Midnight wallet are not available in that Lace flow.
DUST is not a market token
DUST is not a transferable token that you buy, sell, or withdraw from an exchange. It is a shielded resource for transaction capacity. It is generated from NIGHT, can decay, and is consumed when you use Midnight.
Wallet support is not uniform
A wallet can support Cardano Native Assets without supporting Midnight Mainnet. A different wallet can support Midnight Mainnet but still depend on separate Cardano flows for NIGHT acquisition. Check the exact feature before you move funds.
Bridge UX is still evolving
Midnight documentation describes native bridge support, and Lace support describes current limits in the direct user flow. Until your wallet or exchange provides a clear bridge interface, avoid manual transfers between chains.
What is coming
Midnight Mainnet is live, and the ecosystem is moving through a phased rollout. The April 2026 network update describes the period after launch as an application and ecosystem expansion phase. Wallet support, DUST generation tools, DApp onboarding, and bridge UX are expected to improve as more services come online.
For developers, the most important coming improvement is smoother onboarding. A DApp can sponsor user activity by designating DUST capacity to user addresses. This pattern lets users try a Midnight DApp without buying NIGHT first. It also lets builders hide token mechanics behind a clearer product experience.
If you build on Midnight, design your onboarding around capability checks:
- Detect whether the user has a Midnight wallet.
- Detect whether the wallet has DUST capacity.
- Explain when NIGHT designation is required.
- Sponsor the first transaction when your DApp supports it.
- Show clear recovery and proof server guidance.
Troubleshooting
The exchange lists NIGHT, but withdrawals are disabled
Wait for withdrawals to open, or use a venue that supports withdrawals in your region. Do not buy on a venue if your goal is self-custody and the exchange does not provide a withdrawal path.
NIGHT does not appear in my wallet
Check the transaction hash in a Cardano explorer. Confirm the withdrawal used the Cardano network, the destination address is correct, and the asset policy ID matches the official NIGHT policy ID.
Some wallets hide new tokens by default. Check the wallet's token list settings if the transaction is confirmed but the asset does not appear in the main balance view.
I have NIGHT, but I cannot transact on Midnight
You need DUST capacity for Midnight transactions. Designate NIGHT to your Midnight address, wait for DUST generation to begin, or use a DApp that sponsors your transaction capacity.
I copied the wrong address type
Stop before you confirm the transaction. A Cardano withdrawal needs a Cardano wallet address. A Midnight transaction needs a Midnight wallet address. If you already submitted the withdrawal, contact the exchange or wallet support team and provide the transaction hash.
I want to use Midnight without buying NIGHT
You can use Midnight when a DApp sponsors your transaction capacity or when another party designates NIGHT to your Midnight address. This depends on the DApp and wallet support. Check the DApp's onboarding flow before you assume sponsorship is available.
Security checklist
Before you move funds, confirm each item:
- The asset policy ID matches the official NIGHT policy ID.
- The withdrawal network matches the receiving wallet.
- The wallet supports the asset you are receiving.
- You have enough ADA for Cardano fees if you use Cardano.
- You saved the recovery phrase for your wallet.
- You tested the withdrawal with a small amount first.
- You saved the transaction hash.
Next steps
Start with a small NIGHT purchase or swap. Withdraw to a Cardano wallet if the exchange uses Cardano as the withdrawal network. Verify the policy ID, then set up a Midnight wallet in Lace or another Midnight-compatible wallet.
After that, learn how designation works. Designation is the bridge between holding NIGHT and having usable DUST capacity on Midnight. Once your wallet has DUST capacity, you can connect to Midnight DApps and start using Mainnet with fewer surprises.
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